RO Water: Does drinking filtered water affect the digestive system? What are the experts saying?
RO Water: Nowadays many households use RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifiers for drinking water. Its main purpose is to remove impurities and harmful substances from water and provide safe drinking water. But there is a lot of hype about RO water on social media and internet. What is the truth in these..
Top Myths About RO Water.. The Truth Behind Them
Many people think that drinking RO water completely deprives the body of all the minerals it needs. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), although the amount of some minerals in the water may decrease during the RO process, important minerals such as calcium and magnesium needed by the body are mainly obtained through food. So it is not correct to think that just drinking RO water will cause deficiency of all minerals in the body.
Does every home need an RO purifier?
Many people think that every home must have an RO purifier. But according to WHO instructions this is not true. The quality of water available in your area, impurities and TDS levels alone should determine whether RO is necessary or not. If the water quality is already good then there is no need to install RO in every house. So it is better to test the water first and choose the right water purifier according to its quality.
How to store RO water? Does it affect gut health?
Some people think that water treated by RO can be stored as it falls. But according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even purified water should be stored in a clean, covered container. Otherwise there is a risk of contamination of the water with germs again.
Also there is a propaganda that drinking RO water weakens the digestive system (gut). But according to WHO guidelines there is no scientific evidence for this. Gut health depends on many factors such as diet, fiber, lifestyle, infections, medication use. So there is no formal evidence so far to say that RO water weakens the gut.
When is an RO purifier needed?
Not every home needs an RO purifier. But RO purifier is useful in situations where water has high TDS levels, harmful substances like arsenic, fluoride, lead etc. RO is not mandatory if the drinking water in your area is already safe.
Users of RO purifier should get it serviced regularly. Filters should be changed on time. Treated water should always be stored in a clean, covered container. It is also important to consume a balanced, nutritious diet for essential minerals. If in doubt about the water quality in your area or unsure which purifier is right for you, it is best to consult a professional.
An important thing to remember about RO water
Not every information spread on social media about RO water may be true. So before believing the myths it is necessary to check the scientific evidence, recommendations of reliable organizations like WHO, CDC etc. Safe drinking water can only be obtained by testing the water quality and selecting the right purifier as per requirement.
